Lee County teacher named finalist in state wide award

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—A Lee County educator has been named one of five finalists for the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year.

Laurel Blackburn, a regional math coach who supports 22 schools across Lee County, was selected from more than 170,000 public school teachers statewide, according to a press release from the Florida Education Foundation. The foundation, in partnership with corporate and education sponsors, announced the finalists on May 19.

"My job is kind of like a cheerleader," Blackburn said.

Blackburn's schedule varies daily, often starting at a high school at 7 a.m. and ending at a middle school later in the day. She works with teachers, students and grades K-12, focusing on how adults learn while also engaging directly with students.

"I get to work with the teachers, and that's really what I've worked on this year, is learning about how adults learn, and I also get to work with the students," Blackburn said. "Every day is different."

For Blackburn, the most important part of her job is helping students believe in themselves. She said teachers often believe in students before they believe in themselves, helping them see their potential and continue to grow.

"Most of the students come in saying at the beginning of the year that they're not a math person, their family's never been a math person. It's not their favorite subject and I do take that on as a personal challenge to help them," Blackburn said.

Last year, Blackburn worked with a class where 65% of students got to a level 3 proficient for the first time in math. Her approach has proven successful, with students moving into accelerated courses after working with her.

"Progress was not always linear, and I took that on as a challenge, and those students succeeded overwhelmingly," Blackburn said. "They were able to move into the accelerated course. It's fun continuing to watch them grow when I come back into the classroom,"

With 25 years of experience, Blackburn said all it takes is one teacher to believe in a student so they can build their own confidence and success. Her passion for teaching stems from her own experience as a student.

"I was never good at math, or I didn't feel like I was good at math until I was in eighth grade, and I had a teacher that did believe in me, and I grew significantly in my confidence and my math skills. Then that continued on with me for the rest of my life, and I would like to be able to do that for others," Blackburn said.

Blackburn said she was shocked when she was named a finalist for Florida teacher of the year but her students have been excited and happy for her.

 "They're also the cheerleaders," said Blackburn. "That's what keeps us going."

The School District of Lee County says Blackburn has become a driving force for instructional excellence and a lifeline for early career teachers across the district. Her impact is clear, both in the success of the educators she supports and in the students she has taught, many of whom reached proficiency for the first time under her guidance.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Clemson University, a Master of Arts in Middle School Math from Furman University and a Master of Education in Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University.

After each school district or eligible charter school consortia selects its teacher of the year, a committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community reviews each application. The review is based on outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional learning and outstanding school and community service.

The 2027 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year will be announced at a gala in July.